Bishop Bobcats learning leadership skills for life

At Bishop Elementary School, every child is being taught that he or she can be a leader—on the playground, in the classroom, or at home—today and every day.

The K-5th grade school is officially a Leader in Me school. The Leader in Me is a whole-school transformation model that creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader. Bishop will be one of the first schools in the Bay Area to be recognized as such.

Over the next three years, professional development and coaching will be provided to staff thanks to a $40,000 grant that Principal Suzanne Cicala applied for and received in 2015.

“The Leader in Me is a perfect fit for Bishop Elementary,” Suzanne said. “With a focus on leadership for everyone, students, families, and staff learn 21st century principles and skills and apply those skills to enhance the culture of our campus and to improve academic achievement.”

The Leader in Me is centered on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People—universal principles of personal and interpersonal effectiveness, such as responsibility, vision, integrity, teamwork, collaboration and renewal.

In just six short months, students from kindergarten to fifth grade understand each of the 7 Habits and use the habits language in their classroom as well as in the common areas of the school.

Student workbooks cover several different kinds of lessons that develop motivation and pride in work, critical thinking, self-confidence, time management and work ethic, and many other skills. Parents also receive information about each habit to follow up with their children and practice what they learned at home.

Habits range from knowing how to be proactive to how to “sharpen the saw” and be an active, life-long learner. Once in place, Bishop will continue the leadership focus culture for years to come.

“A paradigm shift from leadership is for the few, to everyone can be a leader, is taking shape,” Cicala added. “As a Leader in Me school, I know our students will rise to a level of greatness beyond our expectations. Our journey has just begun, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.”

On May 26, the community at large is invited to Bishop’s Leadership Day, to see for themselves what The Leader in Me has to offer our young bright minds.